Letter to FPSCC Business Partners

By Connie Scotchel-Gross

January 14, 2008

Dear Florida Public School Choice Consortium Business Partners:

The Florida Public School Choice Consortium (FPSCC) is hosting its annual “Academies on the Hill” Conference in Tallahassee, Florida on April 15-17, 2008.  This event is designed to showcase career academies in Florida and educate legislators about their benefits to students and employers.

We are inviting you to partner with us in this effort.  The partnership would entail a representative attending the conference to participate  on a panel and “showcasing” a Florida career academy you have supported that exemplifies the ten National Standards of Practice (NSOP).   We would also ask that you encourage your Florida members and /or associates to attend this conference.  We will be asking that all participants register for the conference, even if they are presenting.  

There will be sessions designed to highlight your “showcase” academy and the educators and students involved will be provided guidelines for their participation well in advance of the conference.   

This is a critical time for Career Academies in Florida as we respond to new legislation, SB1232, “Career and Professional Academies”.  We welcome your input and support as we address the issues in implementing this law. We will be drafting a position paper that builds common ground and clarifies career academy program parameters, and we would value your input and endorsement.

Sharing information on promising national practices with Florida legislators and each other has never been more important.  If you agree, the name and logo of your association will be on the program. Please let me know if you will join us.

Sincerely yours,

Connie Scotchel-Gross
Connie Scotchel-Gross, Manager of Career Education
Department of Choice Programs and School Choice
Past President of FPSCC